The factors that contributed to an increase in travel in Asia – lower airfares and access to better information online – are fueling a generation of startups that want to connect locals and foreigners for a more enriching travel experience.

— Samantha Shankman

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With 52 primary languages, over 1,000 dialects, and 27 currencies, Asia is a potpourri of different cultures, races, and economic environments. While many entrepreneurs find the diversity daunting, online travel startups thrive on it.

Such cultural vibrance positions Asia as an attractive destination for travelers of all stripes, seeking anything from conventional resort stays to meticulously planned city tours to off-the-beaten-track wildlife escapades. This explains the Asia tourism industry’s massive size — which is slated to reach USD 357B by this year, a 64 percent increase from 2009.

While industry competition is brutal, a number of trends are converging to unearth a variation on the conventional travel experience.

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